Trump Issues 50-Day Ultimatum to Russia Over Ukraine Conflict Amid New Military Support

US President Donald Trump has announced a firm ultimatum to Russia regarding its ongoing war in Ukraine, urging the Kremlin to resolve the conflict within 50 days or face severe economic repercussions. This statement came on July 14 during a meeting with NATO chief Mark Rutte at the White House. Trump expressed frustration towards Russia, emphasizing that significant tariffs, potentially reaching around 100%, would be imposed if a deal isn't reached within the given timeframe. The focus of these tariffs will be to target Russia's remaining trade partners, potentially crippling Moscow's ability to recover from already significant Western sanctions. During the meeting, Trump and Rutte also unveiled a vital agreement under which the NATO military alliance will procure arms from the United States, including Patriot antimissile systems, to be delivered to Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression. Trump noted that this would amount to billions of dollars worth of military equipment being rapidly deployed to the battlefield to bolster Ukraine's defense capabilities. Rutte, the former Dutch prime minister, indicated that Ukraine could expect to receive a substantial number of weapons under the new deal, showcasing NATO's commitment to supporting Ukraine. The meeting marks Rutte's first visit to the White House since he referred to Trump as 'daddy' during a NATO summit in The Hague earlier this year. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas welcomed Trump's assertive stance against Russia but expressed concerns about the 50-day deadline being too lengthy, particularly amidst ongoing civilian casualties. Kallas stated, 'It is very positive that President Trump is taking a strong stance on Russia. On the other hand, 50 days is a very long time if we see that they are killing innocent civilians every day.' In addition to the announcement regarding tariffs and military support, Trump had previously indicated he would send critical air defense systems to Ukraine to help fend off increasing Russian attacks. Washington also made adjustments to its arms delivery strategy to Kyiv after having hinted earlier in the month about pausing some shipments. After many speculated Trump might seek to warm relations with Russian President Vladimir Putin following the onset of his second term in January, concerns were raised in Kyiv about the integrity of Ukraine’s interests. Reports of harsh criticism directed at Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky from Trump’s administration have fueled uncertainty in Ukraine regarding the US's long-term commitment. However, recent communications suggest a shift in Trump's attitude towards Putin, as he acknowledged the intensified aggression from Russia in recent weeks and articulated his frustrations. Speaking about Putin, Trump remarked, 'I don’t want to say he’s an assassin but he’s a tough guy.' As the conflict escalates, Russian forces have captured new territory in eastern Ukraine, including two villages in the Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia regions, while civilian casualties have also increased in other areas of Ukraine. During this critical time, Trump's special envoy Keith Kellogg has visited Kyiv to discuss strengthening Ukraine's air defense capabilities and the joint production of defense weapons with Europe. Zelensky remarked on the productive discussions and expressed gratitude for the support from President Trump, indicating a continued partnership amidst the ongoing conflict. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2